Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-05
A SIOUX QUEENS WEDDING.
The Descendant of Savage Kings Mar.
rics n White 1ian-Weird Scenes at a
Ceremony Where Barbarism and Civ.
iiiZafion Clasped Hands.

Not only the whole tribe, but the entire nation.
was interested in the evenings event, and dele
| gates were present from all the bands OF the Da-
kotaS and Lakotas 1ttingly TO honor the marriage
OF their hereditary queen, the last surviving men,
| Der OF the royal family OF the Sioux According
| 10 a writer In the st. Paul Globe the ceremony
/ took place on the Sioux reservation in Dakota
| Like the six Nations the Dakotas in their DAYS
| OF strength and power were beneath the undivided
sway OF q single ruler, in whose hands lay the
| arbitrament OF war and peace, life and death.
| ''Old Smoke" as he was known to the whites, was
the last OF his line, and he passed away with the
| dignity OF a savage and king in 1850, lamenting
| only that all his wives but one had borne him a
| child. and that female. But as he was breath
ing his last with his eyes resting on the blessed
| standing Rock and his thoughts turned to the
Ia6Ied pleasures e; OF the happy hunting grounds
infant smiled in the face Of her stern and battle
Scared sire and some soft sentiment stirred his
her cheek, and his spirit passed into the val
hIllah OF the brave who fear not death
80 Weah-waSh-tay they called her, and she grew
up IN truth 1.-The Beautiful One" Exempted by
birth 10 some extent from the drudgery which
makes up the life OF the ordinary squaw, she de-
veoped all the 1.-THE and graceful characteristics
OF her race, and became the pride of her nation.
In the freshness OF her young, free and untram-
Ineled womanhood brave after brave recounted his
deeds OF prowesS and sought her hand and heart,
but one by one they fell away repulsed in disdain
AFTER the days OF sudden foray ard prolonged con-
HlcJ ilau ended, and when the OgalalaS were gath
cred at Pine Ridge, there came to the camp young
man who had been appointed clerk to Agent r.
win. His name was Jordan, and he was brother
OF Major Jordan, gallant Officer of the United
state, regular army
Struck with the girls appearance, he sought
ner out and eventually. strange as it may seem,
grew paSSionately in love with her. Some maiden
instinct or the training of the missionaries, had
Kept her pure, and she would listen to no proposal
save that OF a Christian marriage. The council Of
the tribe, who were her guardians had granted
the young wlnte mans request, and the night be-
fore Christmas was to see the twain made one.
Evening came on apace, and with 1t the wedding
guests by thousands most OF them in all the glory
OF blankets, paint and feathers.
one OF the trading houses had been transformed
into reception hail. and despite the bitter cold of
the evening all the doors and windows were open
that the curious throns might see and hear. At
$50 the musicians arrived, three folders one
haif-breed, one a negro and one a white man.
Then came the Episcopal minister, Mr.. Robinson,
clothed in the garments of his creed, followed by
the bride and groom. AT their entrance the viOl-
iDiStS began.
"Eh, what's that, what's that?" cried General
Hammond, who was among the army officers pres
ent-
II don't know, but it's good music" answered.
swell, I'll be -" he cried. '.if those fellows
aren't playing the grand march from Norma, and
playing it well, tCo."
on this, the most important occasion of her life
The Beautiful One had for the first time dOnned
the garments OF civilized woman. Her hair
long, raven and difficiIe. had been imprisoned in
the mysteries of French twist, while her we'd
dlng gown was neatly fitting robe OF crimson
silk Her hands were encased in giants de Suede,
while ner feet were evidently suffering fortunes in
pair OF high-heeled shoes. On her breast was
Knot OF artificial flowers The groom had reSur-
rected a nearly forgotten dress suit, and wed In
nuptial bravery with his dusky sweetheart.
The music ceased and the minister took his
place. "Who giveth this woman to be joined unto
this man?'' he queried, and some one hit Red
Cloud dig in the ribs to remind him that it was
his turn. ME do he gutteralized, stalking for
ward The ceremony was soon over, and. after a
prayer, 10 which all listened reverently, the fun
began.
The floor was cleared, the fddlers resumed their
places, and the whites and half-breedS were soon
Wh1ri1ng about In all the gay abandon OF waltz
and polka, hOe-down and Virginia reel. The pine
OoughS OF the walls nodded approval to the up
roar, and outside and down in the teepee-lined
valley toIn-tonlS beat in tumultuOuS dissOlance.
The night moved on apace, and at II O'Clock Gen.
Hammond cried, 'Merry Christmas; lights out;
the show is OVER
An hour Later silence reigned throughout the
great camp on the borders OF the ice-locked White
river.